What would happen if Tohru had a younger sister? Please note that I do not own Fruits Basket.
Hey Folks ! My name is Chouko Honda ! At the moment my sister Tohru and I are living in a tent in the woods. Why? Well… Our mother passed away this May and our father died when we were really little. So that leaves only us two. Immediately after our mother's death, our grandfather took us in. However, due to renovations we couldn't stay there anymore. My older sister told grandfather that we could stay with some friends, but she didn't want to bother them. So she bought a tent and she put our new home in the woods.
It doesn't matter how bad the situation is, Tohru will never give up. I admire that part of her personality. She likes to take care of people. Since I'm a year younger than her, she feels like it's her job to keep me safe. But who will look out for her? She doesn't accept my help and her best friends think we still live with our grandfather. She's always acting so sweet and carefree… But I know she's hurting inside. I notice this best when she's talking to our mom's picture. Like just now I heard her whispering "Mom, I'll leave you to tend to the house.". Seriously… It's just a tent...
While walking to school we notice a house. Tohru enthusiastically studies twelve stones painted as the animals of the zodiac. Suddenly a man appears, exclaiming "Why are there two girls here?". I sigh when my sister starts to apologize for looking around. She's always too friendly… Even towards a man who seems to be enjoying the company of a high school girl a bit too much. I listen with a nostalgic feeling when Tohru mentions the story about the cat in the legend of the twelve animal zodiacs. Mom liked that story. Every time she told it, it left Tohru crying for the cat.
I look up and see the man sitting really close to Tohru. I don't trust him… I want to protect my sister, but a boy beat me to it and hits the man with his school bag. Where did I see this boy before? Tohru jumps up in shock and shouts "Sohma-san! Good… Good Morning!". Ah… Now I remember… He's in my sister's class. The suspicious man introduces himself as Shigure. Apparently he's the cousin of Yuki Sohma… Nop… I still don't trust him.
Yuki proposed to walk together to school. Shortly after that, we're on our way. I walk in silence next to them, ignoring my sister's nervous chatter. Yuki remains polite the whole time. If I recall it correctly, he's quite popular. He even has his own fan club. God, those girls can be annoying. I hope they don't see us together with him. They would definitely blame my sister for it. Just when I break out of my thoughts, we reached my sister's school. My school is only a little bit further. I turn to my sister and say "See you later, sis!". She sends me her normal goofy smile in return and whispers "Be careful on the road". Why does she look so hurt every time she says that?
With zero motivation I walk further to my school. I hate going to school, but my sister forces me to go. Listening is the least I can do to thank her. When I arrive at my class room, I take my seat at the left back corner of the room. Personally I think it's the best spot. It has great view through the window. I look around in the classroom and as expected, my class members are again trying to stay far away from me. It's like they think I will take a leaden pipe out of my bag to start destroying things. I can't change the fact that I look too much like my mum. I may act and look like my mom when she was younger, but that doesn't make me a yankee… Well yeah… Maybe I did cause a bit of havoc on the day my mom died. Can you really blame me? I sigh when I notice the lesson is going to start.
My school finishes first. As a result I'm waiting at my sister's school. After a while I see my sister and Yuki coming towards me. I hear Yuki mumbling something about how stupid cats are and that the cat was never added into the 12 animals from the start. Not really something he should say to my sister… When we were little, she always wanted to create a cat fan club… Tohru checks her watch and starts to freak out. "It's already this late? I have to work!" she exclaimed. Sorry, Sohma-san, I have to rush to work now. Chouko… I'm really sorry, I don't have time to go back with you. Please be careful on your way home." Before I could reply, Yuki pulls a leaf from Tohru's hair, telling her that he would keep me safe and that she should look after herself. We exchange goodbyes, when I look around I see my sister looking really flustered. So prince charming even affects a naïve person like my sister. I smirk at the thought.
Our whole walk back we remain silent. When we reach the Sohma's house, I speak up "Well… See you around!". However, Yuki doesn't seem on leaving me alone. He softly whispers "I can't leave you, because I promised Honda-san to keep you safe". I sigh and reply "Really… Don't bother. I will tell my sister that you kept me safe.". Having said that, I swiftly walk away. After walking for a while I try my best to not show my annoyance. Does he really think I wouldn't notice that he's still following me? Hiding behind trees is not really the best way to remain unnoticed. But still… It's kind of sweet.
What would he think when he sees the tent? Uh… I really hate the tent… There are mosquitoes every night. Don't forget the spiders… To make it worse, the wind nearly blew the tent away a few days ago. Luckily it's only a temporary solution. Just before I enter the tent, I turn around and send a salute to Yuki. On his face appears a shocked expression. It was like a deer caught in the headlights. I try to hide my smirk… But it didn't really work. Ow well… Nothing wrong with having some fun from time to time.
A few hours later, Tohru is finally home. She collects some clothes to bring to the creek. The moment she has left the tent, I hear a loud laughter. I look outside and see Shigure and Yuki. "Traitor" I growled at Yuki. Shigure finally calms down and speaks up "Yuki? You knew this? Why didn't you tell me? I had to find out by seeing this lovely flower passing by.". Yuki sighs and responds "You talk like that and you wonder why I won't tell you where two girls live alone in a tent?". "Well… Why don't you two visit us for a while?" Shigure enthusiastically exclaims.
This little scene causes us to be sitting at the table in the Sohma house, explaining our situation. Apparently our tent is placed on private Sohma domain. Oh well… Our mother was a bigger rebel than that! I hear Tohru asking to let us stay for a while on the Sohma domain. Shigure however tries to bring us on other thoughts, because he thinks it's not safe for girls to live in a tent for that long. Tohru jumps up and shouts "I have energy and the drive". This is soon proven to be wrong when she tumbles and appear to have a fever.
In the distance I hear a dog howling. With a pensive face Shigure mentions that there was a landslide near our tent. Although Tohru has a fever, she still wants to check our tent. When we reach the place, we can't see the tent anymore. It is covered by a hug pile of earth. Tohru starts panicking for mom's picture that's still in the tent. We promise her to return the next morning, so she gives up the digging.
Back at the Sohma house, Tohru is resting in a bed. Just when I want to enter the room, I hear her whispering "I didn't tell her… to be careful on the road… because I had a test, I studied till morning and overslept. I couldn't get up… Only that morning I… usually… Every morning I would say it… only that day… I… didn't want to attend high school, I wanted to work. But mom said… 'I only finished middle school. But, I wanted to be a high school student!. So, you must try the high school life for me!'.I know she always worked hard for us. But I didn't tell her to be careful… even when she left, I didn't watch her leave… I'm so stupid! Even if I failed, or the house got blown away, I really don't care. The most important thing is mom. So, at least… finish mom's wish to enter… and finish high school… I can't lose to this little… fever…".
I couldn't take it anymore. As fast as possible I flee outside the house, trying to hold back my tears. How could she blame herself, while it was my fault? I collapse against a tree. I see some rats running towards the pile of earth, but I didn't care. I was drowning in my sorrow when I suddenly hear Yuki saying "Chouko? Are you alright?". I shake my head and notice him kneeling down before me. "It's my fault!" I choked out. Adding in a soft whisper "Why does she blame herself?". Yuki softly pats my head and asks "You mean your mother's death?".
"It's my fault mom died. We had a fight that morning. Normally Tohru wakes up before me. That day she didn't. She studied hard and long to make mom proud. I told mom I didn't want to study like Tohru. I didn't like school, so I definitely didn't want to go to high school. I wanted to start working and support mom and Tohru financially. Mom didn't agree... I was angry and even told her I should just leave them. That way I didn't need to go to school and she would have more money to support Tohru. I can't forget the look on her face the moment I said that. I never saw her that hurt. She left without saying anything. I didn't even have the chance to say I'm sorry... After the accident I heard people declaring that she was lost in thought the moment it happened. I'm sure she was thinking of our fight. If I hadn't said that... Maybe she would have been able to avoid being hit... Maybe she would still be here...".
I remained there sobbing and felt Yuki's hand gently brushing through my hair. It was such a comforting gesture, which caused me to pour my heart out even more. I silently added "I didn't realize until today that Tohru was blaming herself. Now I finally understand why she looks so sad every time she says 'Be careful on the road'. She doesn't know of the fight. She would be disappointed if she finds out. After all she did for me, I can't bring myself to tell her... But I also don't want her to blame herself. She deserves better...". Tears keep sliding down my cheeks.
Yuki gently lifts my head, until our eyes meet. He softly whispers "Honda-san is a strong girl. Maybe now she blames herself, but she will fight and eventually live further happily. She helps the people she loves and she does get love in return. I see it every day in the way Hanajima-san and Uotani-san are fondly watching over her. I'm sure she won't be disappointed if she would hear about the fight with your mom. She would keep on loving you the same. You don't have to worry... I'm not gonna tell her. That's for you to decide when time is ripe. The only thing I can advise you is to keep going to school in honor of your mom. It would make her proud of you. I'm sure she's looking out for you all the time. She definitely understands how you feel about the fight and forgives you. So please forgive yourself. ".
His words are running through my thoughts. Could it be that easy forgive myself, to keep on living happily? Would mom really be proud? I'm feeling both sad and happy. In a reflex I pull Yuki closer to me for a comforting embrace. Suddenly I hear a dull sound and I'm hugging Yuki's clothes and a rat. "Yuki? Is that you?".
Hi all! I hope you liked my first chapter. C&C welcome :)